Trip Notes - Virginia
Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 9:16 am
Here are the promised notes on my August trip to Virginia and Alaska, which will arrive in short editions, to make it easier on all of us.
Arrived in Charlottesville Friday afternoon (8/15). Wedding we are attending is Saturday afternoon. We flew from JFK to Dulles, picked up rental car, drove to Charlottesville. Stopped at Five Guys along the way for lunch. Reminded that Five Guys has the best burger-fries combination in the world.
We are staying at a hotel at one end of the pedestrian mall in downtown Charlottesville. Beloved Son describes the scene as the "preppiest town in America." He scoffs at the "Young Men's Shop" featuring plaid shirts and pink Izod polo shirts. This will come back to haunt him.
We visit Monticello. If ever a building gave insight into the character and thinking of the designer, this is it. It is practical, simple and beautiful. TJ placed the "working rooms" (kitchen, stables, brewery) in an area set into the hill below the house, so the main building is small and very functional. The views are spectacular.
TJ's family could not keep the building, so it was sold to the Levy family, which, fortunately for all of us, regarded TJ in such esteem that they saw their task largely as preservation. They sold the house and grounds to a private charitable trust (no National Park Service here) in 1923.
The one part of the property which is still in the hands of the Jefferson-Randolph family is the family burial ground. TJ is buried there, as are members of the family, who, as they expire and as space is available, move in, as well. Can you imagine the infighting among a family over that turf? Also, no Hemmings buried there. The tour guides and the literature do a good job reminding everyone that a) a lot of the work at Monticello was performed by slaves and b) probably all of Sally Hemmings' children were fathered by TJ.
Oh, the wedding. As we were getting dressed, Beloved Son realized he had not packed a belt. The only place within striking distance was- The Young Mens' Shop. We appropriated a belt for $72. I told Beloved Son he had better hand that on to his progeny.
A waiter at the wedding introduced himself to me because he had seen my name on the guest list. I was the first person he'd ever met named Hartin to whom he was not related. The waiter was the first person named Hartin I'd ever met to whom I am not related. He lives on Long Island, too (he attends UVA). It's a long island.
Next installment: on to Vancouver and the cruise.
Arrived in Charlottesville Friday afternoon (8/15). Wedding we are attending is Saturday afternoon. We flew from JFK to Dulles, picked up rental car, drove to Charlottesville. Stopped at Five Guys along the way for lunch. Reminded that Five Guys has the best burger-fries combination in the world.
We are staying at a hotel at one end of the pedestrian mall in downtown Charlottesville. Beloved Son describes the scene as the "preppiest town in America." He scoffs at the "Young Men's Shop" featuring plaid shirts and pink Izod polo shirts. This will come back to haunt him.
We visit Monticello. If ever a building gave insight into the character and thinking of the designer, this is it. It is practical, simple and beautiful. TJ placed the "working rooms" (kitchen, stables, brewery) in an area set into the hill below the house, so the main building is small and very functional. The views are spectacular.
TJ's family could not keep the building, so it was sold to the Levy family, which, fortunately for all of us, regarded TJ in such esteem that they saw their task largely as preservation. They sold the house and grounds to a private charitable trust (no National Park Service here) in 1923.
The one part of the property which is still in the hands of the Jefferson-Randolph family is the family burial ground. TJ is buried there, as are members of the family, who, as they expire and as space is available, move in, as well. Can you imagine the infighting among a family over that turf? Also, no Hemmings buried there. The tour guides and the literature do a good job reminding everyone that a) a lot of the work at Monticello was performed by slaves and b) probably all of Sally Hemmings' children were fathered by TJ.
Oh, the wedding. As we were getting dressed, Beloved Son realized he had not packed a belt. The only place within striking distance was- The Young Mens' Shop. We appropriated a belt for $72. I told Beloved Son he had better hand that on to his progeny.
A waiter at the wedding introduced himself to me because he had seen my name on the guest list. I was the first person he'd ever met named Hartin to whom he was not related. The waiter was the first person named Hartin I'd ever met to whom I am not related. He lives on Long Island, too (he attends UVA). It's a long island.
Next installment: on to Vancouver and the cruise.
